Industrial computer enclosures can come in a variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and materials.

When beginning a thorough search for the perfect enclosure for a specific environment, it is paramount to consider what material the enclosure will be made of and how it will perform under various, unforgiving conditions. There are many design factors that arise when determining the type of enclosure material that is best for a project. It is also vital to analyze the enclosure’s NEMA rating, because it will determine if the enclosure can withstand several circumstances, such as dust, dirt, grease, oil, hose directed fluids and corrosive materials.

3 Strong and Reliable Materials

Mild Steel

Mild steel material is commonly used for NEMA 12 and NEMA 4 computer enclosures. According to the Austen Knapman blog, “When it comes to stealing praise for its versatility and cost-effectiveness, few can deliver as great a performance as mild steel. The world's most common form of steel, its applications are vast and relied upon every day, and it can be cut to size and modified to suit where required,” the blog’s author adds, “When it's required in hefty orders, it can be produced en masse with a far reduced cost than… other steels, with results you certainly can't argue with.” Most mild steel enclosures are produced from hot or cold rolled steel. Mild steel enclosures can be deployed both indoors and outdoors, but will not withstand corrosive environments. A powder coated finish will improve the overall performance and longevity of a computer enclosure constructed out of mild steel.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel computer enclosures are popular for corrosive industrial environments. However, stainless steel can cost upwards of 3 times as much as mild steel enclosures. As Mid City Steel explains, “[a] major benefit of using stainless steel materials is the significant strength-to-weight advantage over other material options,” the website’s article continues, “if you are looking for a material that will increase the life of your project, stainless steel will ultimately be the best value in the long run.” Type 304 stainless steel is the industry standard for NEMA 4X enclosures. However, Type 316 stainless steel may be desirable for its higher grade, which includes 10% nickel. Nickel provides increased corrosion resistance to chlorides and other commonly used chemicals in wash down atmospheres.

 Non-Metallic

A non-metallic material is commonly used in junction box or electrical style enclosures. They are easily modified on job sites and weigh far less than mild and stainless steel enclosures. Non-metallic enclosures made of fiberglass are commonly used in the industry. According to Structural Fiberglass, Inc. in Bedford, Pennsylvania, fiberglass has many advantages, including: high impact strength, non-conducive, low maintenance, easy to assemble, corrosion resistant, chemical resistant, and fire resistant. It is often a more cost-effective solution compared to stainless steel enclosures in corrosive environments.

When deciding what computer enclosure will work best in a specific environment, one other important consideration is weight. Depending on the application, a lightweight enclosure may be preferable when mounting to a pole or wall. For example, an object that weighs around 2 pounds when made of aluminum can weigh 6.5 pounds if fabricated from steel.

The overall material of the enclosure should be the first element that is investigated when finding a new enclosure solution. Once the enclosure material is decided upon, everything else should fall into place.

For more information:
  --5 ITEMS TO CONSIDER WHEN SPECIFYING AN INDUSTRIAL ENCLOSURE

HAVE QUESTIONS? LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN BEST ASSIST YOU! CONTACT AN 'ITSENCLOSURES EXPERT' AT 1-800-423-9911 -OR- SEND US AN EMAIL: INFO@ITSENCLOSURES.COM